Dunbar Village rennovation project

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Dunbar Village in West Palm Beach is getting a major facelift.

9 new buildings will be built within west palm beach's largest public housing complex.

Part of the project calls for a large part of the fence that surrounds Dunbar Village to be taken down.

The project is in the bidding stage now.

West Palm Beach Housing Authority executive director Laurel Robinson said the project could start in less than two months.

Robinson said the need for public housing is at an all time high.

Dunbar Village residents like Brodrick Anthony think renovations are needed.

"This is a good project. They're building new houses out here so it should be good for the community so new people can move in," said Anthony.

Part of the 8 foot fence coming down isn't great news for some living here, like Nakisha Smokes.

The fence was built in the 90's to keep crime out of the neighborhood, but that hasn't always worked.

A brutal gang rape in 2007 captured national attention.

In recent years, Tamarind Avenue ,which borders Dunbar Village has seen it's fair share of violent crime.

This worries Smokes who is a parent of a young child.

"Someone could be walking out their door and there's someone running inside their apartment. It's not good without the fence there instead of trying to get all the around. One way in, one way out."

Robinson said the 9 new homes will border Tamarind Avenue.

Robinson added that although the fence is coming down, the design means more people watching out for crime which will hopefully make the neighborhood safer.

The revitilaztion project eventually calls for Adams Street to extend through Dunbar Village.